Harris set to replace Noble at Reds

Iestyn Harris is to take over from Brian Noble as the new head coach of Salford, owner Marwan Koukash has announced.

Noble's 12-month tenure will officially come to an end on Monday, although he will be offered the chance to stay on as football director.

"Iestyn Harris will become the head coach as from Monday," Koukash tweeted on Friday night.

Harris, the Wales head coach, was not at Dewsbury on Friday night for Wigan's Challenge Cup tie which appeared to confirm he has already left his role as assistant to Warriors boss Shaun Wane.

Koukash revealed earlier this week that he was looking to reshuffle Salford's backroom staff and confirmed that Harris and Australian Shane Flanagan were under consideration.

It is thought former Castleford and Hull assistant Andy Hay would retain his role at the AJ Bell Stadium, along with former St Helens scrum-half Sean Long, who recently returned to the club as a part-time coaching consultant.

It is not known whether Noble will agree to move "upstairs". The former Bradford, Wigan and Great Britain boss succeeded Phil Veivers at Barton just 12 months ago and, with Koukash, virtually rebuilt the playing squad.

"Brian Noble has been offered the position of director of football," Koukash said on Friday night. "We hope he will accept to continue with his excellent work.

"Discussions also continue to bring top NRL coach Shane Flanagan to the Red Devils as a coaching consultant, hope to progress next week.

"Noble, Harris, Flanagan, Long and Hay would be a great team to help deliver success."

Noble, who is contracted to the end of the 2014 season, was not available for comment.

Harris played under Noble for Bradford and Great Britain and worked under him at former Super League club Crusaders in 2010.

Wigan have confirmed Harris has left the club

Manager Kris Radlinski said: " We were approached by Salford owner Dr Marwan Koukash over a week ago asking to talk to Iestyn.

"Following discussions with our chairman Ian Lenagan and our head coach Shaun Wane, permission was granted and Iestyn has informed us since of his decision to take up a new role with Salford.

"We are very comfortable with the quality of coaching staff we have in Paul Deacon and John Winder and the successions that we have in place at the club to replace Iestyn.

"We would not have allowed this to go ahead if we had felt that it would jeopardise what we are trying to achieve here at Wigan.

" Iestyn was out of contract at the end of the season and once the approach had been made, it brought forward discussions regarding his future.

"We see this as an outstanding opportunity for Iestyn to take his career to the next level. He acted very professionally throughout and once a position was offered, it was the right thing to do to allow him to pursue the next challenge in his career, he leaves the club with all of our best wishes."

Wane added: " I would like to personally thank Iestyn for everything that he has done for the last couple of years.

"His hard-working attitude and commitment to us has been undoubted and he has helped us achieve some great things. We have played an important part in Iestyn's development and I am sure he will go on to have a successful career at Salford."